Punching apparatus



July 16, 1957 R, RUOFF 2,799,336

PUNCHING APPARATUS Y Filed Aug. 20, 1954 JTIORNEY United States Patent OPUNCHING APPARATUS Robert Ruoti, Audubon, N. I.

Application August 20, 1954, Serial No. 451,101

8 Claims. (Cl. 164-50) This invention relates to punching apparatus, andmore particularly to a notching tool in the nature of a punch press forpunching notches in sheet material along an edge thereof t-o provide aseries of spaced tabs or the like which can be bent or otherwisedeformed as desired.

There are numerous instances where it is desirable to provide spacedtabs along the edges of one or more members made from sheet materials,such tabs being useful for connecting these members to other members.For example, in sheet metal work, it is not uncommon to form out ofsheet material a plurality of ducts or pipes which are to be connectedto eachother. Among the expedients employed for effecting theconnections are tabs formed along the ends or edges of the ducts, thetabs on each duct being bent for reception within a next adjacent duct.Heretofore, it has been common practice to form these tabs by means ofhand-manipulated shears. This is not only time consuming and expensive,but it also has the disadvantage of being relatively inconvient toaccomplish in the case of preformed ducts, tubes, casings and othersimilar devices commonly manufactured in the sheet metal art. Moreover,`where it is desirable to space the tabs uniformly along the edge of thesheet material, a certain degree of skill is required on the part of anoperator unless the work is previously marked or some suitable patternis employed.

The primary object of my invention is to provide an improved notchingtool for use in forming tabs or the like in sheet materials which isfree from the aforementioned and other disadvantages inherent inhand-manipulated shear operations.

More particularly, it is an object of my invention to provide animproved notching tool which can be either hand operated or motor drivenand which, in either case, is simple to operate.

Another object of my invention is to provide an iinproved notching toolwhich can readily accommodate either flat sheets or curved sheets, thelatter in the form of tubes or pipes, for example.

Still another object of my invention is to provide an improved notchingtool as aforesaid which is readily adjustable to receive work ofdifferent thicknesses.

A further object of my invention is to provide an irnproved notchingtool as above set forth by means of which tabs or the like can be formedin the work at uniformly spaced intervals.

A still further object of my inventionY is to provide an improvednotching tool as specified above which can be adjusted readily toprovide varied spacing between tabs as desired.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide an improved notchingtool for the purpose set forth which can be operated with great accuracyby even an unskilled worker.

It is also an object of my invention .to provide an improved notchingtool as aforesaid which is simple in construction, easy to operate, andhighly efficient in use.

According to one form of my invention, the tool conft- .parent as thedescription proceeds.

#n ICC prises a stand having a base on which a suitable die is mounted.The stand also carries a reciprocable ram to which a punch is securedfor cooperation with the die. Either a hand crank or a suitable motormay be used to operate the ram relative to the work to form a series ofspaced notches along an edge thereof. The work, in the form of either ailat sheet or a pipe, is fed between the punch and die by a feed wheelwhich is operated in response to movement of the ram away from the work.The degree of movement of the feed wheel during each cycle can beadjusted to provide suitable spacing between successive notches formedin the work by the punch, therebyv controlling the size of the tabsprovided between successive notches.

'Phe novel features of my invention,`both as to its organization andmethod of operation, as well as additional objects and advantagesthereof, will be better understood from the following description, whenread in connection with the accompanying drawing in which Figure l is afront elevation of one form of notching tool according to my invention,the tool being shown partly broken away to clearly depict certain partsand being shown with a sheet of at stock therein and with the feed wheelin engagement with the work,

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the tool, partly broken away, as seenfrom the right of Figure l,

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing a section ofcylindrical pipe of sheet material mounted on the die and theadjacentwork supporting wheel under the feed wheel, and with the feed Wheelraised from the work,

Figure 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective view showing one formof punch and die which may be used in my improved tool and the manner inwhich the punch and die cooperate with. each other, and

.Figure 5 is a fragmentary, plan view of a section of sheet material inwhich notches and tabs have been formed along one edge thereof by thetool of Figures l to 3.

Referring more particularly to the drawing in which the same referencenumerals designate corresponding parts throughout, there is shown asupport comprising a stand 1 having a forwardly-extending base 3 and anupright portion 5 which has a forwardly extending block 7 above the base3 and a bearing 9 at its upper end. The block 7 is provided with avertical bore 11 and a vertical channel 13 for purposes to be set forthpresently.

Secured to the base 3 by screws 15 is a die 17 formed with a suitable-hole 19 having the shape of the notches to be formed in the work. Thedie preferably has a convex, upper surface for a reason which willbecome ap- Arranged to cooperate with the die 17 is a punch 21 having ashank 23 which is received in an axial bore 24 in the lower end of areciprocable ram 25, the punch being locked to the ram by a set screw27. The ram is slidably mounted in the bore 11 and is connected by alink 29 to an eccentric pin 31 on one end of a crankshaft 33 in thebearing 9. The crankshaft 33 may be rotated manually by means of a crank35 secured thereto or from a suitable motor (not shown), as may bedesired. In any case, as the crankshaft rotates, it actuates the link 29to effect reciprocal movement of the ram. Thus, the punch 21 isalternately brought into and out of engagement with a piece of work '37and into and out of cooperative relation with the die 17 to form notches39 in the work and thus provide a series of tabs 40 along the edge ofthe work.

The work 37 may .be either in the form of a ilatsheet of metal, rubber,leather, cardboard, plastic, cloth, etc., as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, orit may be curved or tubular in form, as shown in Fig. 3. ln the lattercase, the

tube or pipe 37a rests on the upper surface of the die 17. it is toprovide a solid support of substantial area for the pipe that the uppersurface of the die 17 is made convex as described previously. Forsupporting at work, there is provided a platform or shelf 4l which issecured to a guide bar 43 by screws 45. The guide bar s3 rests on thebase 3, being held thereon by screws 47, and serves to guide the work 37or 37a as it moves past the punching station under the punch 21. Astripper 49 secured to the guide bar 43 by a screw 5l is engaged by thework 37 and keeps the Work from being pulled up by the punch 2l when thelatter moves upwardly lafter a punching operation. The parts punched outof the work 37 are deposited in a suitable receptacle (not shown)through a bore 53 in the base 3 aligned with the die hole i9.

For feeding the work past the punching station, there are provided awork supporting wheel 55, which is rotatably mounted on the base 3 bymeans of a stud 57, and a cooperating, peripherally serrated feed wheel59. The feed wheel is rotatably mounted by means of a stud 6l on abracket 63 which is slidably mounted in the channel 13 of the block 7. Astud 65 which passes through a vertical slot 67 inthe bracket 63 and isthreaded into the block 7 holds the bracket 63 on the block and limitssliding movement of the bracket on the block.

Secured to the upper end of the block '.7 by screws 69 is a plate 7lhaving an opening 73 therein. A pin 75 extends through the opening 73and is threaded into the upper end of the bracket 63. A coil spring 77around the pin 75 engages the lower face of the plate 7l and the upperend of the bracket 63 and tends to force the bracket downwardly to bringthe feed wheel 59 into engagement with the work. A lever 79 is pivotallyconnected to the upper end of the pin 75 and has a cam end 8l adapted toengage the plate 7l. When the lever 7% is in the horizontal positionshown in Figs. l and 2, it is out of engagement with the plate 7l. Thespring 77 is then free to force the bracket 63 downwardly to therebybring the feed wheel into engagement with the work 37 or 37a, as thecase may be, and press the work against the supporting wheel 55.However, when the lever 79 is raised to its vertical position, as shownin Fig. 3, its cam end Sl engages the plate 7l to force the pin '75upwardly against the action of the spring 77. This raises the bracket 63and thus separates the feed wheel from the work (or from the supportingwheel 55). Thus, suflicient clearance is provided to insert the workbetween the wheels 55 and 59 endwise from right (as viewed in Figs. land 3) in the case of at sheets 37, or endwise from the front in thecase of the pipes or other similarly curved members 37a. After the workhas been suitably mounted in place, the lever 79 is lowered to itshorizontal position to bring the feed wheel into engagement therewith.The cam end 3l of the lever 79 is so shaped and dimensioned and the slot67 is of such length that substantial clearance is provided between thewheels 55 and 59 when the latter is raised. Thus, work of differentthicknesses can be accommodated readily.

For actuating the feed wheel 59, a lever 83 is pivotally mounted on thestud 6l behind the feed wheel. Pivotally mounted on the ends of thelever 83 by means of screws 84: are a pair of diametrically opposedpawls $5 which are positioned to engage the serrated periphery of thefeed wheel 59. Leaf springs 87 secured to the lever 83 engage the pawls35 to hold them against the feed wheel. The lever S3 is formed with aslot 89 in which the forward end of an actuating pin 91 is receivedloosely. The pin @l is carried by a collar 9.3 which is Secured to theram 25 by a set screw 95. As the ram moves up and down7 the pin 91 rocksthe lever 83. The teeth in the pawls S5 and the serrations in theperiphery of the feed wheel 59 are so shaped that, as the ram movesdownwardly, the pawls merely slip along the feed wheel periphery, butwhen the ram moves upwardly, the pawls engage the feed wheel to rotateit a preset distance determined in accordance with the desired spacingbetween adjacent notches 39. This, of course, determines the width ofthe tabs 40. To vary the degree of rotation of the feed wheel and thusthe width of the tabs,

the set screw 5 is loosened and the collar turned slightly one way orthe other. This changes the point of engagement of the pin 91 with thelever 83 in the slot S9 and, therefore, the extent to which the lever 83will be rocked. In turn, this determines the angle through which thefeed wheel will be rotated during each cycle and, therefore, thedistance through which the work will be advanced. lf desired, a leafspring 97 may be secured to the bracket 63 for engagement with theserrations on the feed wheel periphery to prevent the-feed wheel fromaccidentally rotating in the wrong direction. The slot 89 has a widthwhich is somewhat greater than the diameter of the pin 91 to affordvertical play therebetween. This is to permit the punch 21 to be fullywithdrawn from and clear the die and the work before the pin 91 beginsto rock the lever 83 so that the work can be advanced freely by the feedwheel.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that l have providedan improved notching tool which is simple in construction and easy tooperate. Although I have illustrated and described but one embodimentthereof, it will undoubtedly be apparent to those skilled in the artthat many variations thereof are possible Within the scopeV of myinvention. I therefore desire that the foregoing shall be taken merelyas illustrative and not as limiting.

l claim as my invention:

l. Punching apparatus comprising a support including a member adapted toreceive a die, a ram carried by said support and movable thereon towardand away from said member, said ram being adapted to receive a punch forcooperation with said die upon movement of said ram toward said member,means for imparting reciprocatory motion to said ram, means including afeed wheel on said support having a work engaging periphery for feedingwork over said member, a lever associated with feed wheel, means carriedby said lever and engaging said feed wheel periphery for rotating saidfeed wheel upon rocking of said lever in a predetermined direction, andlever rocking means carried by said ram, said lever rocking meansincluding a member extending outwardly of said ram in a directionangularly related to the direction of movement of said ram, said lastnamed member extending into engagement with said lever to rock saidlever in said predetermined direction upon movement of said ram awayfrom said iirst named member to thereby effect rotation of said feedwheel.

2. Punching apparatus according to claim 1 characterized in that saidlever rocking means is adjustable on said ram in relation to said leverwhereby to vary the point of engagement of said last named member withsaid lever.

3. Punching apparatus comprising a support including a member adapted toreceive a die, a ram carried by said support and movable thereon towardand away from said member, said ram being adapted to receive a punch .Yfor cooperation with said die upon movement of said toward said member,means for imparting reciprocatory motion to said ram, means including afeed wheel on said support having a work engaging periphery for feedingwork over said member, a lever associated with said feed wheel, meanscarried by said lever and engaging said feed wheel periphery forrotating said feed wheel upon rocking of said lever in a predetermineddirection, a collar mounted-on said ram and movable with said ram, and apin carried by and extending radially from said collar, saidpinextending into engagement with said lever to rock said lever in said`predetermined direction upon movement of said ram away from said memberto thereupon effect rotation of said feed wheel.

4. Punching apparatus according to claim 3 characterized in that saidcollar is circumferentially adjustably mounted on said ram for varyingthe point of engagement of said pin with said lever to thereby determinethe degree of rocking of said lever and thus the degree of rotation ofsaid feed wheel.

5. Punching apparatus comprising a stand having a base, an upright abovesaid base, and a block extending from said upright over and in spacedrelation to said base,

a die mounted on said base, a ram carried by said block forreciprocatory movement relative to said die, means for reciprocatingsaid ram, a punch carried by said ram for cooperation with said die, aWork supporting wheel mounted on said base, a bracket slidably carriedby said block for limited movement thereon toward and away from saidWork supporting Wheel, a feed wheel on said bracket in alignment withsaid supporting Wheel having a serrated periphery adapted to engage workon said supporting wheel when said bracket is in a position nearest tosaid base, spring means associated with said bracket inuencing saidbracket to said position, means associated with said bracket for movingsaid bracket against the influence of said spring means to a secondposition relatively remote from said base to thereby disengage said feedwheel from the work, a lever carried by said bracket, pawl means carriedby said lever for engagement with said feed wheel periphery to rotatesaid feed wheel when said 1ever is rocked in a predetermined direction,and actuating means for said lever carried by said ram and engaging saidlever, said actuating means being operable to rock said lever in saidpredetermined direction when said ram moves away from said die.

6. Punching apparatus according to claim 5 characterized in that saidlever has a slot therein, and characterized further in that said leveractuating means comprises a collar on said ram and a pin extending fromsaid co1- lar into said slot.

7. Punching apparatus according to claim 6 characterized in that saidpin and said slot have such dimensions that said pin has play withinsaid slot in the directions of motion of said ram whereby, when said rammoves away from said die, said punch will be fully withdrawn from saiddie and the work before said pin will begin to rock said lever in saidpredetermined direction.

8. Punching apparatus according to claim 6 characterized in that saidcollar is adjustable circumferentially on said ram for varying the pointof engagement of said pin with said lever to thereby control the degreeof rocking of said lever and thus the degree of rotation of said feedWheel by said pawl means.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 395,211Breul Dec. 25, 1888 670,389 Hull Mar. 19, 1901 2,117,797 Flynn et al.May 17, 1938 2,363,540 McVey Nov. 28, 1944 2,392,138 Freeman Ian. 1,1946

